FIFA 'in regular contact' with Qatar amid growing diplomatic dispute

Dexter Carr |Monday, June 05, 2017

A man fills up his car at a petrol station in Rome

Bahrain joined the group of the Arab countries, who have chosen to sever diplomatic ties to Qatar amid a deepening rift between Gulf Arab nations.Earlier, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain had announced they were severing diplomatic ties with Doha.

Through its national press agency, Saudi Arabia issued a statement accusing their neighbours of "harbouring a multitude of terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to create instability in the region".

Egypt's foreign ministry said in a statement the country was suspending air and sea links to Qatar, citing national security.

Several airlines including Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai, Air Arabia and Saudia has suspended all Qatar flights.

Air Arabia, a low-priced airline based in the United Arab Emirates, said it is suspending flights to Qatar along with other Emirati airlines over a growing diplomatic crisis.

The dispute between Qatar and the Gulf's Arab countries escalated recently over a hack of Qatar's state-run news agency.

The six countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council do little merchandise trade with each other, instead relying on imports from outside the region, and Qatar's liquefied natural gas shipments by sea are expected to continue normally.

Qatar's government categorically denied that the comments, in which the country's leader expressed support for Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and Israel while suggesting that US President Donald Trump may not last in power, were ever made.

Amla, Tahir propel Proteas to big win
But the loss of Du Plessis and then AB de Villiers in the space of seven balls for just five runs curtailed any hopes of that. Imran Tahir continued his brilliant form in the Champions Trophy as he picked up 4 wickets yesterday in the very first match.

Aboutalebi said continuing to "domineer" others would only bring more chaos, and dialogue is the only way of settling differences.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain announced the suspension of transport ties with Qatar, and gave Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave their borders.

Trump and other U.S. officials participated in a ceremonial sword dance in a trip to Saudi Arabia last month.

Shiite Iran has had no diplomatic ties with most of the mainly Sunni Gulf states since 2016, when Arab nations followed Saudi Arabia in severing relations after protesters torched its missions in the Islamic republic.

"There is not much geopolitical risk premium priced into oil right now, (but) if tensions do ratchet higher between the key OPEC producers, like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq, then the market will start paying attention to this", said Virendra Chauhan, an oil analyst at consultants Energy Aspects. Additionally, the capital Doha has been accused of being a supporter of Iran's agenda. Its Gulf Arab neighbors responded by blocking Qatari-based media, including Al-Jazeera.

In Washington, a series of emails belonging to the United Arab Emirates' ambassador to the USA have been leaked.

Trump and other USA officials participated in a traditional sword dance during the trip in which he called on Muslim countries to stand united against Islamist extremists and singled out Iran as a key source of funding and support for militant groups.

Last week, the Qatari emir travelled to Kuwait to meet Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in what was widely seen as an attempt at mediation by the Kuwaitis.

Fans in near-stampede in Turin as Champions League match
Most of the injured in Turin were treated for cuts and bruises but seven had to be admitted to emergency units at local hospitals. Shoes and rucksacks were seen discarded on the ground as people ran away from the square and sought cover down the side streets.

For President Trump, decisions accompanied by drama
China has overtaken the U.S.in transitioning to renewable energy, generating a fifth of its electricity from renewable sources. Later U.S. and Russian troops stared one another down in the Syrian town of Manbij while protecting their favorite proxies.

China vows to uphold Paris climate deal
Trump formally announced his decision to leave the historic worldwide agreement after months of teasing the action. European leaders and green organisations have expressed anger and dismay over the US' latest "anti-climate" step.

Benintendi hits 2 HRs to help Red Sox beat Orioles 7-3
After a single and two walks loaded the bases with one out, Sandy Leon struck out. "It was a tough play right there", Pena said. But it was Benintendi who tied the game with a solo home run in the third inning, snapping an 80-at-bat homer drought.

Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties to Qatar
Bahrain today also announced cutting diplomatic ties citing ongoing attempts to destabilize security in the country. The incident triggered a diplomatic row between Qatar and its neighbors, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Risk of hung parliament drives down sterling
Following the previous election , the Conservatives won a working majority of 17 seats in the 650-member House of Commons. And former Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted this succinct take-down of polling in general.

Kiwi driver Scott Dixon robbed at gunpoint in US
Qualifying was marred by a frightening crash that sent Sebastien Bourdais to the hospital complaining of pain in his right leg. Davison, of Australia, replaces French driver Sebastien Bourdais, who had successful surgery to fix his pelvis Saturday night.

Measures taken by Gulf states against Qatar
Riyadh accused Qatar of backing terrorism and extremism, while Bahrain charged Qatar with interfering in it internal affairs. Saudi Arabia cut all land air and sea contacts with Qatar "and urges all brotherly countries and companies to do the same".

Ex-Newcastle player Tiote dies after collapsing in training
Cheick Tiote , a former Newcastle and Ivory Coast midfielder, has died after collapsing in training with a Chinese team. Former teammate Demba Ba paid tribute to his friend, tweeting: " May Allah gives grant you Jannah, brother Tiote ".

U.S. states, cities and firms unite behind Paris accord
However, less than two years later, the future of the Paris Accord is now shrouded in uncertainty after US President Donald J. He is a member of the business advisory group, known as the President's Strategic and Policy Forum.

Cyclone Mora Hits Bangladesh With Heavy Wind And Rain
Half a million people had their lives disrupted in coastal areas such as Barisal and Chittagong in May a year ago . Flash floods and excessive rain led to landslides in hilly areas, which caused most of the casualties.